“The large crossbows are powerful enough to penetrate their hulls,” declared Emperor Marak, “but we need to create those holes below the waterline. Only when the Motangan ship tried to turn did the sea flow in.”
“That is difficult,” frowned Captain Mynor. “As soon as the bolts drop below the water, they will lose a great deal of their punch. They may no longer pierce the hulls.”
“Well,” the Torak shook his head, “that is what we need. We need to create holes below the waterline. See what you can come up with.”
Emperor Marak left the room and walked along a corridor. He saw Rejji just entering the palace in Angragar and hurried to meet him.
“I heard that your test went well,” smiled Rejji. “Is the elven king safe?”
“They are on their way to Angragar as we speak,” nodded the Torak. “They should be here soon. As for the test, we still have some refinements to make. How did your meeting with the Jiadin go?”
“Much better than I expected,” frowned the Astor, “but I do not care much for creating false prophecies. I feel as if I tricked them into doing what is right.”
“That is exactly what you did,” smiled Emperor Marak. “Do not let it trouble you so much. You tried every other way to bring the Jiadin to your side. They are primarily men without honor. They care for nothing other than fighting and plunder.”
“Still,” frowned Rejji, “it does not feel right. What will Kaltara think?”
“You had the choice of tricking the Jiadin or slaughtering them,” retorted the Torak. “Not only would you have wasted eighty thousand potential warriors by destroying the Jiadin, but you would have also lost the majority of the free tribes trying to do it. As for how Kaltara would feel about it, he instructed you to gather the faithful and the unfaithful. Besides, where was your deceit?”
“I used a prophecy to trick the Jiadin,” replied Rejji. “I do not think the Dragon Prophecy really meant to foretell what I did with Myka. I don’t think it had anything to do with the Jiadin.”
“Others disagree with you,” smiled Marak. “Yltar says that Myka believes in the prophecy and that is was resolved as it should have been. She says only the errors of the humans who recorded it make it appear unrelated. Put this matter to rest, Rejji. Now that you have the Jiadin, figure how best to use them to defeat Vand. Trust me when I say that before this is over, they will praise you for gathering them. Vand’s forces would have slaughtered them in the opening salvo of the war.”
“I suppose you are right,” nodded the Astor. “I still don’t know whether or not I can integrate them into the Free Tribes. Years under Grulak’s reign have twisted their minds. All they want to do is kill someone for the pleasure of it.”
“Maybe you can siphon off those that can be rehabilitated and keep the others separate,” suggest the Torak. “I am sure that you will find the right solution. Let’s go down to the docks and greet the elven king.”
The Torak and the Astor left the palace and headed for the docks. Lyra was already at the wharf and the trio gathered together.
“Here they come,” pointed the Star of Sakova. “How will you greet him, Rejji?”
“As a friend and ally,” answered the Astor. “Whether or not he joins his people to ours, it was his ancestors who preserved this city by hiding it. We owe the elves a debt of gratitude for that.”
The elven scout ship sailed slowly across the harbor as Alastasia nervously piloted the vessel around the anchored ships. She called for Tamar to take the helm as they approached the dock.
“I am not about to ram this ship into the Star,” Alastasia said anxiously.
“You did well,” smiled Tamar as he took the helm.
Alastasia moved forward and stood beside her father and sister.
“You see, it is not too hard to sail,” smiled Avalar as he put his arm around his daughter.
“It was fun,” smiled Alastasia. “See the two people with Emperor Marak? The man is Rejji. He is the Astor. The woman is Lyra, the Star. You will like them.”
“Do not be offended if they call me Mistake,” interjected Alahara. “It is the only name they have ever known for me.”
“I will not be offended,” promised the elven king. “From what you have told me of your lives in this world, I owe much to those three.”
The elven ship glided alongside the dock. Alahara grabbed the forward line and threw it to a dockhand. HawkShadow did the same with the stern line. King Avalar and the two princesses stepped off the ship and onto the dock. Marak, Rejji, and Lyra bowed slightly to the king. Avalar bowed in return.
“We meet again, Marak,” smiled Avalar as the two groups closed with each other. “I am indebted for your help on the Island of Darkness.”
“And we are all indebted to your people for hiding Angragar so long ago,” replied the Torak. “May I introduce, Lyra, the Star of Sakova, and Rejji, the Astor and King of Fakara.”
“Let us go to the palace and have refreshments while you rest from your journey,” suggested Rejji.
“An excellent idea,” nodded Avalar. “We are not staying long in Angragar. I am anxious to return to my people, but there is a favor that I would like to ask of you.”
“Whatever I can do for you,” replied Rejji, “will be done. What do you need?”
“I wish to be properly dressed for my return to Elvangar,” stated the elven king. “I also want my daughters to be presented properly. Are there tailors in Angragar that can accommodate me?”
“There are many fine tailors in Angragar, “ frowned Rejji, “but how will they know what to make?”
“Tamar mentioned that he saw some people in this city wearing elven garb,” replied Avalar. “He could also consult with the tailors to advise them.”
“I forgot that Angragar was trading with the elves when it was preserved,” smiled Rejji. “Everything is exactly as it was when the city was abandoned. I will arrange for it.”
“Excellent,” smiled Avalar as the group started walking towards the palace.
Marak dropped back and draped his arms over the shoulders of Mistake and MistyTrail.
“Princesses, eh?” the Torak smiled. “I can’t wait to see the two of you in proper clothes.”
Both Alahara and Alastasia scowled at Marak, and they both gently jabbed him in the side.
“I am truly happy for both of you,” smiled Marak. “Your father seems to be a man you can look up to. Don’t trouble him too much.”
“Too much?” chuckled Alahara. “We would never trouble him at all.”
“Right,” laughed Alastasia.
Avalar heard the laughing behind him. He looked over his shoulder and smiled. When the group reached the palace, Rejji snapped off orders to his men. Food was brought into the courtyard, and tailors took measurements. The meal was informal, and people came and went during it. Marak took Rhoda aside and had a long discussion with her. Tamar and HawkShadow sat in a corner and discussed tales of each other’s homeland. As dusk approached, the clothes that Avalar requested were delivered. He excused himself and took the princesses with him. They were gone a long time, but when they returned, everyone stared in silence.
Avalar, Alahara, and Alastasia were dressed in gowns of pure white tyrik silk with gold edgings. Their long hair flowed down their backs, their pointed ears protruding through the hair. On their shoulders were golden crests.
“What a beautiful sight you present,” smiled Lyra. “What do the crests signify?”
“It is the crest of Kieran,” answered King Avalar. “As king of Elvangar, I am the head of the Kieran line. My daughters will follow my rule when my time is over.”
“I hope that is not anytime soon,” interjected Marak. “Will the elves stand with us against Vand?”
“I cannot answer your question, Emperor Marak,” frowned King Avalar. “I have been gone too long from my people. Elvangar is troubled right now. That is the reason for my need to return promptly. I can promise you that we will not be your enemies. I am impressed with what I have seen during my short stay here. The stories told me by Alahara and Anastasia add more to the image of your righteousness, but I must do what is best for the elven people.”
“Understandable,” nodded the Torak. “Will we have contact with you in the future?”
“We will,” nodded King Avalar, “even if that communication is to inform you that the elves will remain lost to others. Now we must go.”
“It is almost dark,” Rejji declared. “Will you not wait for morning?”
“No,” replied King Avalar. “I wish to time my arrival in Elvangar for when the people are awake. That requires me to leave now. May we meet again under favorable terms.”
* * *
“Alamanda,” pointed Tamar as the setting sun reflected off the white piles of rubble. “Should we dock there and gather my warriors?”
“There will be no fighting upon our return,” King Avalar shook his head. “Either the people will accept me as the rightful king, or they will not. I will not kill them to ensure my rule.”
“That’s good,” frowned Princess Alahara. “I feel naked without my knives.”
“You should have no need of knives,” smiled King Avalar. “You are a Kieran. Knives are ineffective compared to your other powers.”
“If we had learned to use those other powers,” frowned Princess Alastasia. “We never finished our lessons with Garl.”
“If Garl still lives,” promised the king, “your lessons will continue.”
“What will you do with our mother?” asked Alahara. “She will want to put us back in prison.”
“Or worse,” worried Alastasia.
“She will have to imprison me first,” vowed Avalar. “While I will not fight to regain the throne, I will die to protect my daughters. I cannot imagine Alycia as the woman you described to me. I fear that she is under the power of Karaza. Whether it breaks the law or not, I will kill that evil mage. He is a disgrace to the elven people.”
“Be careful,” warned Alastasia. “We have just found our father. We do not want to lose you again.”
Avalar smiled broadly and wrapped his arms around his daughters.
“You will never lose me again,” promised the elven king. “Not until I die.”
The ancient elven scout ship sailed through the night with each of the crew taking a turn at the helm. As the morning sun broke the horizon, Tamar guided the ship through the protective illusion that hid the channel to Morada. King Avalar walked to the bow and stood staring at the distant Gates of Elvangar. Alahara and Alastasia soon joined him and split up to flank him. He reached out his arms and draped them over the princesses’ shoulders.
“It is beautiful,” remarked Alahara. “I could not envision it from your description, MistyTrail.”
“Alastasia,” Avalar corrected with a smile. “It will be hard for the two of you to adjust to Elvangar, but your names must be the first step. You are princesses of the Kieran line. Never let anyone forget that.”
“You appear tense, father,” frowned Alahara as she felt her father’s arm stiffen as the Gates of Elvangar approached.
“I am,” admitted the king. “From what Tamar told me about Elvangar since my departure, I am concerned for our reception. There will be sentries atop the Gates of Elvangar. The queen will be alerted to our arrival before we finish passing through the channel. I can only presume that Karaza will know as well.”
“There will be boats waiting for us on the other side,” warned Alastasia.
“Yes,” nodded the king. “That is as it should be. Do not attack them. They will not harm us.”
Everyone fell silent as the scout ship entered the narrow channel between the massive stone walls of the Gates of Elvangar. The scout ship glided silently through the channel. When the channel emptied into the harbor of Morada, the sun was shining bright upon the city.
Instead of two boats of armed soldiers waiting for them, dozens of ships lined the way to the docks. Cheers erupted from the passengers of the ships, and the soldiers bowed low as the king passed by. Horns blared from all over the city, and Avalar could see people running to the docks. His lips widened and parted in a broad smile. He raised his right arm and waved to the bowing soldiers.
“Could this be a trick?” asked Alahara. “Or would the citizens welcome you without the blessing of the queen?”
“I do not know about the queen,” answered Alamar, “but the people are genuine in their joy. It feels so wonderful to be home at last.”
Without direction from the patrol boats, Tamar guided the elven scout ship to the royal dock. Thousands of people crowded along the wharf and waved. Cheers and shouts filled the air. As the ship glided along side the dock, Alahara moved to get the forward line. Avalar put his arm around her shoulder and stopped her.
“On this voyage,” Avalar said softly, “you are not a deckhand. Stay by my side.”
People on the dock reached out and held the ship fast as it floated next to the dock. Avalar guided his two daughter to the side of the ship and stepped onto the dock. Alahara and Alastasia stepped off next and continued to flank their father. The citizens of Morada bowed and singing erupted. King Avalar basked in the reception of the elven people. He smiled broadly and waved to the people for several minutes.
Suddenly, the city fell silent. King Avalar could see the crowd parting in the distance and understood what was happening.
“The queen is coming,” Avalar said softly to his daughters. “Regardless of how you were treated by her, you are to treat her with the respect due a queen. I will not permit my daughters to belittle the royalty of Elvangar for selfish reasons. The crown is more important than any of us. It demands respect.”
“I will try,” sighed Princess Alahara.
“No,” King Avalar said sternly. “You will not try, you will obey. Once the people of Elvangar lose faith in the crown, it can never be restored. I will not allow one of my daughters to be the cause of such disrespect.”
“I understand,” Alahara nodded. “I just hope she doesn’t hurt me again.”
The crowd parted and Queen Alycia marched through the gap. Her face was impassive as she approached. She walked directly to Avalar as everyone held their breath. When she stopped walking, Queen Alycia kneeled before the king and bowed her head in respect. The people cheered widely.
The queen rose, a wide smile upon her face. She reached up and removed the golden circlet from her head and placed it upon the king. She kissed King Avalar on each cheek and then embraced Princess Alahara.
“I am so sorry, Alahara,” whispered the queen. “I have not been myself for some time.”
“How did you know that I was Alahara?” asked the princess.
“You are on the king’s right,” smiled the queen. “Avalar would never break protocol.”
The queen walked to Alastasia and embraced her. She returned to stand in front of the king. Avalar smiled and kissed the queen. He then offered her his right arm. As the people cheered, the royal family marched off the dock and through the city streets to the Royal Tree. The royal guards smiled as they saluted the king.
The platform rose to the highest level and the royal family walked to the throne room. Only then did Avalar drop his smiling face.
“Where is Karaza?” he demanded.
Queen Alycia pointed upward and Avalar looked up and saw the bulge in the tree.
“How did this happen?” he asked.
“Garl figured out that Karaza was controlling me,” replied Alycia. “All of these years I thought you were dead. All because I refused to believe in Garl. I even banished him from the city and put Karaza in charge of the Society of Mages. I feel like such a fool.”
“Karaza knew that I was imprisoned on the Island of Darkness,” replied the king. “He visited there a year after our sinking. He must have sold his soul to Vand. I will reinstate Garl as the Head of the Society of Mages. What other ills have been committed that must be righted?”
“I have been busy correcting the errors of my last few years,” replied the queen. “Some thing cannot be undone, but I can make amends.”
“Prepare a list for me,” nodded Avalar. “There are troubled times ahead for Elvangar and the rest of the world. We must heal our own house before the trouble comes.”
“Will you aid the humans then?” asked Alastasia.
“I do not know,” admitted the king. “There will be discussions about it, but as I told the Torak, I will do whatever is in the best interests of the elven people.”
“You have met the Torak?” asked Queen Alycia.
“And the Star and the Astor,” nodded King Avalar. “They are humans of the caliber of King Regis and his ancestors. They are honorable people who believe in Kaltara. I will call a session of the Council of Elders tomorrow. This issue must be thoroughly discussed, and it is best to start soon.”
The queen turned to Alahara and Alastasia.
“I am truly sorry for what you had to endure,” she said. “Not just during your time in Elvangar, but all those years that I should have had people out looking for you. I do not know how I can make that up to you, I will try.”
“We survived,” smiled Princess Alahara. “If nothing else, it has taught us much about the humans and how people should be treated. I think there are many areas in Elvangar where we can take lessons from the humans.”
“Like what?” frowned King Avalar.
“Like the poor elven villages,” answered Princess Anastasia. “There should not be poor people in such a rich land as Elvangar.”
“And keeping the elders dependent upon the crown,” added Princess Alahara. “They should not lose their homes when the crown loses confidence in them.”
“And…” began Princess Anastasia.
“Stop,” grinned King Avalar. “I get the point. It seems as if our princesses are ready to be involved in ruling Elvangar,” he smiled at the queen. “I have great faith in their courage and their character. We must both tutor them in the ways of the elves.”
“With Garl’s help,” the queen nodded and smiled.
“And Kaltara’s blessing,” chirped Princess Alastasia.